The Story Behind the Story: Pion vs Law Enforcement

August 6, 2012

NEWPORT - Roger Pion has a long history of run-ins with law enforcement dating back to 1998.
Several sources, including a law enforcement officer who asked not to be identified by name, said Pion has threatened police and the courts many times.
His record contains no felony convictions, however. His past charges are disorderly conduct, driving with a suspended license, and violating conditions of release. The Orleans Court only has available records dating back to 2008.
Pion was taken into custody last month for resisting arrest and has yet to be arraigned on the charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 7. Now he will answer those and his new charges.
July 3, Pion was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by Newport City Police for speeding and for lack of current registration. According to an affidavit by Officer Aaron Lefebvre, during the stop, Officer Lefebvre could smell marijuana in the vehicle and asked everyone to get out of the car for a search. Pion was the last to leave the vehicle and, when he got out of the car, he refused a pat down search, Lefebvre wrote.
During the stop, a records check revealed a warrant on Pion and police said they needed to take him into custody. Because of Pion's prior record with police, Lefebvre called for backup and an additional officer showed up as did a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
Pion, according to the affidavit, became belligerent and shouted obscenities at the officers. Lefebvre said his stance was â€śassaultive and resistiveâ€ť and police could not get his hands in cuffs. Lefebvre said the officers used the â€śarm bar take down,â€ť a maneuver to forcefully take someone down to the ground who is resisting.
Once down, Pion was restrained. During the pat down, police allegedly found a loaded hand gun, which contained a chambered bullet with the gun in the cocked position, and found more bullets in his pocket. Police said they also found a small bag of marijuana.
Newport Ambulance responded to treat Pion for injuries he suffered during the arrest, and then he was transported to the hospital for evaluation of any other possible injuries.
Pion may have suffered a concussion during the arrest, a relative of Pionâ€™s said, and has suffered a past head injury, sources say.
After being released from the hospital, Pion was lodged in Northern State Correctional Facility on the outstanding warrant. He was later released.